A bit like an adolescent sharing his poetic scribblings with Shakespeare is how I would describe that sense of trepidation with which I offer these few words of reflection on your Covenant Service. Part of Methodist tradition for over 250 years beginning with John Wesley, given the depth of his spirituality and the long pedigree of the service itself, I must first admit my slim credentials in this important event. Over four years as a curate at the Transfiguration in Kempston, I attended Methodist East across the road for this act of renewal. As an Anglican priest committed to the movement of churches together, I found it a profoundly moving experience.
At first it is difficult to say why, because, in saying Christian creeds together Sunday by Sunday, we are weekly affirming our covenant with God in both a personal and communal way. Why should a special service dedicated to this purpose make any difference? Yet the simple fact is that it does. Perhaps part of the reason is its timing, at a beginning. My copy of the Methodist service book reports that on Christmas Day 1747 Wesley strongly urged his listeners to take this action. On a day when we are reminded of God's gift to us, it would seem natural to renew our part in this wonderful event as a thankful response. Perhaps the service becomes special because it is set aside, whenever it falls, like a Birthday.
One couple I spoke to admitted to being "Methodists for ever - well at least 50 years" said that attendance may be down for the covenant service because of the 'old words' -
"put me to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed for you ....."
However sometimes old words reach back to remind us that Christian commitment is not a comfort blanket or an escape hatch from reality. For me and for others the New Methodist Worship Book places the emphasis of the whole service 'on God's readiness to enfold us in generous love, not dependent on our deserving. Our response, also in love, springs with penitent joy, with thankful recognition of God's grace ..... (an) act of the whole faith community'. It is this intent, made plain in the service, which unites us all, and why those outside Methodism who have experienced this annual event would acknowledge its value beyond those original bounds.
The late Father Vincent Cahill, Catholic priest and friend to many explained such things which pointed to a greater unity in the following way. He said that the different churches sit in a vast circle: in moving closer together, not only do we experience greater understanding and fellowship, but we collectively move nearer to Christ, the centre of our circle.
A wider audience and understanding of your Covenant Service would, in my view, assist in our united ultimate aim, the journey toward Christ at the centre of our faith.
Stephen Smith
Formerly Curate of the Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston
Pages compiled by Peter Fletcher
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